EU To Provide Ukraine With €3.3 Billion For Missiles And Ammunition — von der Leyen
The European Union is set to provide Ukraine with another €3.3 billion in defense assistance on September 18 to fund the purchase of missiles and ammunition, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said following a phone call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, UATV English reports. Von der Leyen said the new funding comes as Russia continues its attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian…
On September 18, the European Union plans to allocate another €3.3 billion in defense aid to Ukraine, with the aim of financing the acquisition of missiles and ammunition, as stated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This additional funding comes in the wake of Russia's ongoing assaults on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.
Von der Leyen emphasized the necessity of bolstering European assistance for Ukraine, asserting that support should be further intensified. She revealed that the EU countries had previously authorized funds for Patriot air defense systems earlier in the week, as part of a larger loan intended to bolster Ukraine's capabilities.
In addition to the financial support, von der Leyen announced plans to employ the residual funds from the EU’s SAFE defense financing program to establish a collaborative defense project with Ukraine. This joint endeavor will leverage Ukraine's battlefield expertise and defense innovations alongside Europe's technological and industrial strengths. A crucial aspect of the initiative involves the joint creation of a European air and missile defense system, grounded in the Freya integrated ballistic missile defense concept.
During a recent conversation with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, von der Leyen and Zelenskyy also deliberated upon reforms that require approval from the Verkhovna Rada to unlock additional funding for Ukraine and facilitate its journey toward EU membership. Von der Leyen emphasized the goal of amalgamating Ukraine’s combat experience and innovation with Europe’s technological and industrial prowess.
Moreover, the EU Commission President is slated to participate in the UN General Assembly in New York next week, where it is anticipated that she will continue discussions centered on Ukraine's support.
EU member states have provisionally approved five common-interest defense projects, each receiving €60 million in funding, while the Verkhovna Rada has ratified an agreement enabling Ukraine's participation in the European Defence Fund, thereby broadening prospects for cooperation between Ukraine and EU defense enterprises.
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